Utilising Technology In Disaster Management

Good emergency and crisis planning aims to reduce, control or mitigate the effects of emergencies such as natural disasters, spills of hazardous materials, fires and explosions, and security threats. While pre-planned emergency response is most effective for the immediate tackling of any predictable event, the unpredictable nature of crises often exposes unforeseen risks. Communication, data analysis, and security are key to dealing with emergency preparedness and prevention, and technology is a prime part of these solutions.

1. Technology Preparedness as a Priority
Before the technology can help in an emergency, it must have its own preparedness plan to survive a disaster. Business owners are encouraged to develop disaster recovery plans so they can protect, access, and restore their technology.

2. Broadcast Announcements
Communication is crucial during an emergency. Important instruction, notices and information must be communicated to all outlets immediately, keeping key stakeholders updated, and ensuring as much time to prepare and react as possible.

3. Co-ordinating Response Teams and Evacuation Efforts
Emergency response teams also use technology to effectively communicate and plan. This systematic approach to emergencies ensures that all officials know their roles and responsibilities. It also can be used to communicate a unified and effective response to a disaster situation.

4. Creating Predictive Models
Technology helps to create predictive models, which can be used to better understand how an emergency or disaster will impact the area. By understanding and viewing the prediction, it’s easier to create an effective plan of action that addresses the concerns that the predictive model brings to light.

5. GPS Applications
Location tracking is another important aspect of emergency and disaster management and response. A global positioning system (GPS) is a location-tracking system that uses satellites to assist with navigation. The general public uses GPS systems to navigate and both state and local governments also use these applications to assist in emergencies.

Some other things you may want to consider:
• Scenario simulation and crisis training
• Understanding resources available and how they are allocated
• Sharing info with internal and external stakeholders and the public

To learn more about implementing effective emergency and crisis planning, or to demo our incident management platform contact us at info@locate.global.